Understand Standing Wave Diagrams 2

Understand Standing Wave Diagrams 2 - Both Ends Open

The meaning and operation of this applet is basically the same as for Understanding Standing Wave Diagrams 1 - Both Ends Fixed. Please see that page if you are unclear how to proceed here.

Below are several static diagrams of standing waves for a medium open at both ends, along with the names for each vibration and a count of the antinodes and nodes for each vibration.

If you are unclear about the meaning of the terms 'antinode' and 'node', be sure to look back at Understanding Standing Wave Diagrams. Most likely you got here from that page. Page through the Flash animation which you will find there. The meaning of the terms 'antinode' and 'node' is presented in that animation and also in the discussion on that page.

Picture of Standing Wave

Name

Structure

1st Harmonic

or

Fundamental

2 Antinodes

1 Node

2nd Harmonic

or

1st Overtone

3 Antinodes

2 Nodes

3rd Harmonic

or

2nd Overtone

4 Antinodes

3 Nodes

4th Harmonic

or

3rd Overtone

5 Antinodes

4 Nodes

5th Harmonic

or

4th Overtone

6 Antinodes

5 Nodes

Notice that this harmonic structure is the same as that for the medium fixed at both ends, but different from that for the medium fixed at one end and open at the other end. This harmonic structure, like the one for both ends fixed, proceeds from the 1st to the 2nd to the 3rd harmonic, and so on. The harmonic structure for the fixed at one end and open at the other end medium proceeds from the 1st to the 3rd to the 5th harmonic, and so on.

However, in every case, (fixed at both ends, open at both ends, fixed at one end and open at the other end), the first possible standing wave is called the fundamental, the second possible standing wave is called the 1st overtone, the third possible standing wave is called the 2nd overtone, and so on.